What should you decide before choosing a project?
Decide whether personal use or rental use takes priority. A second home should fit the way you spend time in RD. If you plan to relocate, compare everyday services and the location you will use throughout the year. If income is the goal, investigate the rental rules and operating costs before considering an income estimate.
Tell ATLAS your preferred destination, approximate budget, buying timeline and how often you expect to visit. Santo Domingo, Punta Cana / Cap Cana, Casa de Campo and Las Terrenas are different starting points for that conversation; suitability depends on the particular property.
Does a price in USD cover the full purchase budget?
No. Even if a project quotes its price in US dollars, the budget should distinguish purchase payments, closing expenses and ongoing ownership costs. Confirm the invoiced currency of each item rather than assuming everything will use the same currency.
Ask about bank transfers, receiving charges, conversion fees where relevant and when each payment must reach the recipient. Keep room in your plan for furnishings, maintenance, insurance and management. Request current written amounts; a marketing price is not a complete ownership budget.
What should the payment schedule tell you?
Request the reservation conditions, initial payment, installment dates and final balance for the exact unit. Check the currency, what is included and what remains payable separately. Ask how cancellation, refunds and changes to expected delivery are addressed in the documents.
| Stage | Questions to confirm |
|---|---|
| Before delivery | Amounts, due dates, unit specifications and payment conditions. |
| At closing | Remaining balance, documents and applicable taxes or expenses. |
| After delivery | Maintenance, setup, insurance and management responsibilities. |
How do you compare destinations from the US?
Check current flights from your departure airport for the seasons you expect to travel. Compare arrival times, connections and the ground journey to the property. A convenient flight on one trip does not establish a permanent route or future airfare.
Use official Dominican Republic travel information as a starting point, then verify schedules and prices with airlines. For ownership from a distance, ask who handles inspections, repairs, bills and guest issues, what they charge and how you receive records.
What should you check if you want rental income?
Confirm that the property permits your intended rental use. Compare an estimate after management commissions, maintenance, utilities, furnishing and other operating costs. Ask which assumptions support occupancy and rates, and how your own stays affect availability.
Request a scenario that also considers quieter periods and unplanned expenses. Forecasts help you compare assumptions; they are not guaranteed returns.
Which tax and reporting questions belong on your checklist?
Before committing, discuss your own cross-border situation with qualified US and Dominican professionals. Ask what records to keep and which income, asset or account reporting questions apply to your circumstances. The IRS international individuals resources offer a starting point for that discussion. For Dominican transfer procedures, consult DGII information.
Do not assume a project's promotional tax claim settles your individual obligations. Ask for the supporting documentation and professional review for the particular purchase.
How can you start with ATLAS?
ATLAS is a real estate agency primarily focused on the Dominican Republic and pre-construction projects. Share your purpose, destination, estimated budget and timeline so we can orient the search and the questions you need to compare.
- Identify your intended use and preferred location.
- Request the unit details and current payment terms.
- List documents and costs still awaiting confirmation.
- Plan management for the periods when you are away.
Prefer a form? Use our contact form in Spanish. The form prepares a message for you to send; it does not send automatically.
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Complete pre-construction guide in Spanish